Friday, August 22, 2014

Skellig by David Almond

This is a wonderful book.  It has been around for about 10 years, but it has just been re-released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of it, and boy am I glad it was.  This was a book that I hated to put down.  Michael and his family move into a fixer upper, he was excited about it, but his baby sister is very sick and that is taking all of the families attention.  While Michael is exploring the falling down garage out back he makes an unexpected discovery of a very unusual being.  With his new friend, Mina, the girl next door, they try to figure out what/who this being is.  They do know he is something "extraordinary."  I really liked the character of Mina.  The author has since written a book focusing on Mina's story before she meets Michael.  "My Name is Mina" is in our collection.   I guess "Skellig" was made into a movie in 2009 but I have not seen it.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Hooked: When Addiction Hits Home - Edited by: Chloe Shantz-Hilkes

Wow, what a BIG little book.  It is little in size but tackles a BIG topic.  This book is a collection of 10 true stories based on interviews of people that grew up with parents that were addicts.  They address everything from alcoholism, drug addiction, being addicted to work and eating disorders. It is full of stories of struggle and survival.  Each person interviewed tells how they handled things and how it has affected their lives as adults.  It also offers a Q & A session with a doctor who specializes in helping families with addiction as well as suggestions of where to go for help if you have a family member suffering from an addiction.  This book shines a light on how addiction affects more than just the person who is the addict.  It affects the entire family.  It is a very well done book about the unfortunate realities that some kids have to face.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

The 13th Sign by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb

I was born on July 13 so I am a Cancer.  If you follow astrology, Cancers are "ruled by the moon." We are nurturing and prize family history. Our good memories are the basis for many stories told around the dinner table.  Traditional astrology has a total of 12 signs, but WHAT IF someone unlocked an ancient 13th sign.  (If this happened I would be a Gemini-with TOTALLY different characteristics) This is what happens in the 13th Sign.  Jalen unlocks the 13th sign and everyone's personality takes a major shift.  She must defeat the 12 other signs to put things back the way they are supposed to be.  I enjoyed this book.  I liked how strong Jalen was, and I liked the "monsters" that came after her.  If you like mythology, astrology or fantasy (or all three) you will like this book.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Earl with Lori & Wayne Earl

Have you read "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green?  That book was written as a tribute to Esther Earl, who had become a friend of John Green's during her battle with thyroid cancer.  This book is comprised of journal entries, blog posts, letters, skype transcripts, etc. by Esther, her parents and friends.  It tells the story of Esther's spirit, humor, and hope through her battle with the cancer she was diagnosed with at age 14.  Parts will make you smile, parts will make you chuckle and parts will make you wish you had brought the box of kleenex with you.  It was one of those books that makes you realize you can't take things for granted and live each day to the fullest.

Coaltown Jesus by Ron Koertge

If you like novels and verse and you like books that make you smile you will like Coaltown Jesus.  Walker's mom is having a tough time and Walker prays for Jesus to help him and Jesus shows up to do just that!  Jesus is funny.  I enjoyed when he wanted a pair of red converse high tops!  Walker wants Jesus to just fix things for his mom. Jesus DOES help Walker, just not in the way Walker expects.  A truly enjoyable book.

The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech

I read this book years ago, but just recently got this copy for our library after someone's dog ate the last one.  I adored this book.  It made me chuckle out loud.  The angel is working so hard to earn his wings and he just doesn't understand why it hasn't already happened.  He meets free spirited Zola and together they try to save a group of orphans.  I just really liked the way Angel spoke (it reminded me of Junie B. Jones).

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Scream Street: Fang of the Vampire by Tommy Donbavand

I know that, unlike myself, not everyone wants to spend every extra minute they have reading.  If you are one of these people, the Scream Street series may be for you.  I enjoyed this little book.  It has a great story but doesn't take too long to get through it.  Luke is a werewolf and because he transformed in front of a "normal" he and his parents must move to Scream Street.  Scream Street is a place for creatures like him as well as mummies, vampires, goblins and zombies.  The problem is Luke's parents are "normals" and are scared out of their wits to be here.  Luke and his new friends try to find the relics of the founding fathers of Scream Street to get them back to his old world.  It looks like each book will be a piece of his story to get back.  (Good thing I bought the whole series for the library!)

Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis

I always loved spending time with my Grandma Daddario (my dad's mom).  She always had wonderful stories, like the time she rode to Canada on her Indian Motorcycle when she was 18: this was a pretty rebellious thing in the 30's.  I think this is one of the reasons I loved Mare's War.  Mare sounds fiery and fierce just like my grandma.  Mare's War is a story of a grandmother on a road trip with her two granddaughters and how they learn things about her that they never knew.  This is a work of historical fiction and I also LOVE historical fiction.  I learn so much from historical fiction.  Mare was a member of the African American battalion of the Women's Army Core (WAC) that served in WWII.  I enjoyed the alternating chapters of Mare's story of back "then" and what was taking place in the present.  I would now like to do some more research into the WAC. 

Friday, August 1, 2014

If I Stay by Gayle Forman


I read this book a couple of years ago and really liked it.  I had to re-read it this summer since it is being released as a movie in August and I really liked it again.  It is a tear jerker.  17 yr. old Mia is faced with a number of difficult choices like should she follow her dreams to pursue her music or stay close to her family and her boyfriend? After a horrific accident, Mia has to make another choice...a life or death choice.  This is one of those stories you read that stay with you for a while after you finish.  It is a page turning read as you try to get to the end to see what Mia decides.  Please, please, please read it BEFORE you see the movie.